In THE CULPABLE, the faith of a Catholic prison minister is tested when a colleague is arrested for sexual abuse.

Awards:

Audience Choice Award Santa Barbara 2016

German Film Critics Award 2016 (Best Debut Film)

Synopsis:

Senior Catholic priests Jakob Völz (Blomberg) and Dominik Bertram (Schumann) are preparing to say mass when two police officers appear and ask Dominik to accompany them to the station. Upon learning from their mutual friend, the Deputy Vicar General, that Dominik, who works with troubled youths, is accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy in his care, Jakob remains convinced of Dominik’s innocence and embarks on his own investigation into the accusations. Writer-Director Gerd Schneider deftly handles the delicate subject matter of this timely story by telling it from Jakob’s unique insider perspective. Blomberg’s quiet intensity grounds the drama, allowing the tragedy to unfold frankly and without melodrama.